India is recognised as the land of Ayurveda, the country that gave zero and decimal to the world. So many theories and scientific inventions that are now being used and claimed by the Western world as their own have been put forth and even implemented by Indians since ancient times.
Not surprisingly, since independence, India has managed to make some breakthrough progress in technology and science.
A five-year plan that prioritized scientific research
In 1950 the Planning Commission was set up in India to plan actions that can bring improvement in key sectors like science, technology, infrastructure, and education. The commission suggested enhancing national laboratories and building new institutes for the overall development of the country.
Accordingly, the National Physical Laboratory, National Chemical Laboratory, and Central Electrochemical Research Institute were established in India.
First satellite from India
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) established in 1969 designed the first-ever Indian satellite Aryabhata that was launched on April 19, 1975. It was developed to execute aeronomy, X-ray astronomy, and solar physics. In subsequent years many other developments took place.
India successfully tested its strategic missile Agni in 1989 and after that, it created and tested many operationalized missile systems. Since then several Agni missiles have been tested successfully.
DNA fingerprinting
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) developed DNA fingerprinting in 1988 making India only the third country in the world to develop its exclusive DNA fingerprinting technology.
Pokhran-II nuclear test
India was successful at testing five nuclear bombs in the underground area of Pokhran, Rajasthan in 1998. To mark this success, the day was named National Technology Day by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Chandrayaan-1 mission
It was the first mission of India to the moon launched from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh in 2008. The spacecraft successfully delivered photo-carrying geologic, chemical, and mineralogical mapping information to ISRO as it hovered around the moon.
India became Polio-free
In 1994, India had almost 60% of overall polio cases in the world. However, with dedicated campaigning from the government, the country became polio-free in two decades which was a big achievement considering that India has such a huge population.
Mangalyaan mission
This Mars Orbiter Mission or MOM was a historic feat by India as it was the first-ever interplanetary mission carried out by the country. It was launched in 2013 and with the help of MOM the Indian scientists got some breakthrough information regarding the topography, morphology, atmosphere, and mineralogy on Mars. It was also a very cost-effective effort and hence was highly appreciated.
COVID research
India was one of the very few countries that could successfully come up with effective vaccines for protection against Coronavirus. The country became the biggest producer and exporter of vaccines during the pandemic which is one of the most remarkable things ever achieved by Indian scientists and researchers.